Chapter 76 — The Calm Before The Hunt
The Penthouse
The penthouse had finally returned to its usual silence.
The laughter, arguments, and chaos that had filled the rooms earlier had disappeared, leaving only the faint sounds of house staff on the top floor, cleaning up the mess left behind by two grown men who, whenever they were together, somehow reverted to the behavior of mischievous children.
Downstairs on the ground floor, two luxury vehicles waited outside.
Segun and Bayo stood near the entrance, preparing to leave.
The playful atmosphere from earlier was gone.
Completely.
Segun's expression had turned cold.
Calculated and..
Dangerously focused. Back to the ice cold mafia boss he locked away from people who only see the calm, gentle, polite and good looking guy at school.
He looked directly at Bayo.
"Increase the number of men monitoring Rihannat."
His voice was calm, but the authority behind it left no room for negotiation.
"No one makes a move unless I give the order. I want maximum surveillance and absolute vigilance. No mistakes."
His eyes hardened.
"Anyone who makes an error should be prepared to go six feet under."
Bayo immediately straightened.
The warning was not an exaggeration.
It never was when Segun spoke like this.
"Keep a low profile," Segun continued. "Nobody appears in front of her for now."
A faint smirk curved his lips.
"She's sharp. Smarter than most people realize."
The smirk deepened.
"We don't want to spoil the fun, do we?"
Bayo stared at him.
For a moment, he forgot to respond.
Something about that smile felt wrong.
Not because it was cruel.
Not because it was wicked.
But because it looked... genuine.
Like he's intrigued, fascinated and an expression of something he doesn't want to name.
Then it changed back to the normal dangerous smirk he knew. Fast and controlled as if the former expression was never there before.
It looked lethal. As if spotting his prey.
And that frightened him far more.
The last time Segun had smiled like that, several powerful people had disappeared from the city's underground network within a month.
Segun snapped his fingers.
"Earth to Bayo."
Bayo blinked.
"Sorry."
"I don't want my father's men knowing that I'm already aware of what's happening."
A dangerous gleam appeared in Segun's eyes.
"Let's play a little game of cat and mouse."
The excitement in his voice sent chills down Bayo's spine.
His eyes seemed to shine with an almost unnatural brightness.
"It'll be entertaining."
He slowly folded his arms.
"What do you think about pulling them out one by one..."
A pause.
"...while making it look like the work of our rivals?"
The smile returned.
Cold.
Patient.
Predatory.
"Now that's a game worth playing."
Bayo swallowed.
Segun continued.
"Cancel all my travel plans."
His gaze drifted toward the night sky beyond the glass doors.
"I won't be leaving the country anytime soon."
The smile lingered.
"Looks like hunting season has begun."
A shiver ran through Bayo.
Not the ordinary kind.
The kind that settled deep inside his bones.
He had seen Segun acted this way 3 years ago. It was a bloodbath that ends it.
Among all the terrifying things he had witnessed over the years, nothing unsettled him more than seeing Segun in his demonic form. Seeing him take action himself, whenever something caught his full interest.
Especially when that "something" involved people.
Most people feared Segun's anger.
Bayo feared his calm.
Because whenever Segun became calm...
People suffered.
Terribly.
Why did they provoke the bloodthirsty sleeping lion.
"Will do, Boss."
The playful friend from earlier vanished instantly.
His tone became respectful.
Formal.
Professional.
Exactly as it should be.
After all, standing before him now wasn't his friend.
It was the devil the underworld whispered about.
The soft expression on Segun's face made him resemble his mother.
But the darkness behind that expression...
That belonged entirely to his father.
Perhaps even worse. Triple venom.
Without waiting for another instruction, Bayo quickly retreated toward his car.
For once, self-preservation seemed like the wisest option. Running for his dear life.
Segun watched him leave without reacting.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
Far away.
Dark.
And dangerous.
Whenever his father entered the equation, something inside him changed.
Something ancient.
Something monstrous.
And tonight, that monster had opened its eyes. Awake.
Rihannat's Hostel
The room felt different now.
Peaceful.
Cleaner.
Lighter.
The third occupant had been transferred to another hall a few days ago—almost certainly through the influence of concerned parents.
Gone were the overwhelming scents of alcohol, cigarettes, and late-night parties.
For the first time in months, the room felt like a place meant for students.
Folakemi sat opposite Rihannat on her bed.
Neither spoke.
The silence stretched between them for more than ten minutes.
Not uncomfortable.
Just heavy.
Both were lost in their own thoughts.
Eventually, Folakemi broke it.
"What if we stop?"
Rihannat looked up.
"Stop what?"
"Everything."
Folakemi gave a small shrug.
"The fear. The worrying. The endless thinking."
She leaned back slightly.
"What if we pretend none of this happened?"
Rihannat frowned.
Folakemi continued.
"I know it sounds ridiculous."
A soft smile appeared on her face.
"But what if we act like our normal selves again? Like we never heard any of these stories. Like we never got dragged into family secrets and mysteries that have nothing to do with us."
Her voice softened.
"Rihannat... you've always been strong."
The words carried sincerity.
"Stronger than most people I know."
She paused.
"A lot of people would have broken by now."
Her eyes met Rihannat's.
"But you're still standing."
The compliment didn't make Rihannat feel stronger.
It only made her feel tired.
Folakemi reached across the small distance between them.
"How about we place our trust in Allah and leave the rest?"
Silence.
"Our parents said they'll handle it."
She squeezed Rihannat's hand gently.
"This isn't even our battle."
A small laugh escaped her.
"We somehow got dragged into a war we didn't sign up for."
That earned the faintest smile from Rihannat.
"Let the adults handle what belongs to adults."
Folakemi's voice became reassuring.
"Brother Seifullah already promised to help."
Then she added quietly,
"And Allah never abandons those who put their trust in Him."
The room fell silent again.
Rihannat lowered her gaze.
Her chest felt tight.
"Is it really possible?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Folakemi waited.
Rihannat swallowed.
"Can I truly live normally again?"
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the blanket.
"Knowing someone is watching me..."
A pause.
"Monitoring me."
Her voice cracked.
"Wanting something from me that I don't know about."
She finally looked up.
"Can I really do that, Fola?"
For a moment, Folakemi saw not the strong, composed Rihannat everyone admired.
But a frightened young woman carrying burdens she never asked for.
Folakemi moved immediately.
She sat beside her and wrapped both arms around her.
Holding her tightly.
Firmly.
The way only a true friend could.
"Nothing is impossible for Allah."
Her voice was gentle.
Steady.
Comforting.
"We'll get through this."
She tightened the embrace.
"You are not alone."
A tear slipped down Rihannat's cheek.
Folakemi smiled.
"None of us are leaving you."
"Not me."
"Not the others."
"Not Brother Seifullah."
"And certainly not our families."
She pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes.
"We're all here."
The heaviness inside the room eased just a little.
Then, sensing the mood becoming too emotional, Folakemi grinned mischievously.
"Although..."
Rihannat narrowed her eyes.
Folakemi laughed.
"I still can't believe our parents are family friends."
A weak smile appeared on Rihannat's face.
"Neither can I."
"Seriously!"
Folakemi threw her hands into the air dramatically.
"Do you know how offended I am?"
Rihannat blinked.
"Why?"
"Because if our parents had spent more time in Nigeria, we would've met years ago."
She pointed accusingly.
"We would've been best friends before those other people even had a chance to claim you."
A genuine laugh escaped Rihannat.
One she hadn't expected.
Folakemi grinned victoriously.
"There."
"What?"
"That laugh."
She nodded firmly.
"I've been trying to bring it back all week."
For the first time that night, the weight on Rihannat's shoulders felt a little lighter.
Outside, darkness continued to gather.
Unknown eyes watched.
Plans were being made.
Hunters were preparing.
But inside that small hostel room, surrounded by friendship, faith, and unwavering support...
Rihannat found something she had almost lost.
Hope.
How could she forget..., she is stronger than this!
@OlukoyaZainab